Craftsman router - changing bits

[Corey]

Anyone familiar with how to change bits in an older craftsman router? This is an inherited router, so the manual is lost. There is a bit in now, but I can't figure out how to get the bit out. There is a large (5/8") nut immediately below the bit, followed by another nut (3/16"), and then the nut that I think attaches to the motor. I can get the smaller middle nut to move along the thread. And I can get the larger nut to move a little up and down on the thread. But still nothing to get the bit out.

Anyone know the magic button to press?

Thanks

[igor]

Yes, and it's blue.

My older Sears router (maybe 1985) has a blue switch/button near the top (top when router is in operating position from above the wood) that gets pushed in to lock the spindle so that turning the nut closest to the bit can realease the bit. As I understand things, some routers need two wrenches and some need one -- and my old Sears router needs just one. HTH.

-- Igor

[Wilson]

[Corey]

I do know the little lever to lock the shaft, and can manage that. But I don't think I can get the big nut turned CCW enough to release the bit. Not sure if there's rust/corrosion in there or if something else is wrong. I can't seem to get a lot of torque power on the nut though, while trying to hold the lever on the shaft lock.

I'll try again.

[Rick Samuel]

If the bit has been in the router for some time, rust may be part of the = problem. May need a few drops of penetrating oil

[patriarch]

"Corey" wrote in news:Iniad.2822$y77.2205@trnddc05:

My immediate, sarcastic reaction is that the best way to remove a bit from a Craftsman router is with a Sawzall....

Yesterday was yard sale day on our block. The wife and daughters-in-law had all sorts of stuff laid out for sale, and the buyers were out. Down at the bottom of the pile was an old Craftsman router given to me several years ago by a neighbor. Somebody found it, and wanted to buy it. Only when he assured me that he had owned several already, and knew about the Craftsmen's tendency towards autonomous bit height adjustment, did I let him give me $10 for it.

Corey, this router MAY be OK, but this router, and all routers, can cut people a lot faster than they do wood. Before you use this, find someone to show you how to work safely with THIS router.

If you just need to round over the edges, sandpaper wrapped around a block of wood is your friend. It's quieter, too.

Patriarch

[Luigi Zanasi]

On Sun, 10 Oct 2004 22:06:32 GMT, "Corey" scribbled:

Try giving the bit a few light taps with a piece of wood.

Luigi Replace "nonet" with "yukonomics" for real email address

[mac davis]

Mine (very old) has the large nut under the bit, which the wrench goes on... Under the large nut, there is a large, thin nut.... there should be a little "lever" below the thin nut that you push in while turning the large nut.. it will fall into place in a notch and lock the shaft for as long as you hold the lever..

[Kjt]

The router lock button, next to the on/off switch will only engage when the switch is pushed away from lock button and shaft slightly turned for shaft lock to engage. Note that the lock button is accessible on both sides of tool.